Master of Arts in Counseling

Master of Arts in Counseling at Waynesburg University

Take your first step toward state licensure as a certified counselor. Waynesburg University's Master of Arts in Counseling program will prepare you for a rewarding and fulfilling career as a counselor. For your convenience, Waynesburg offers this exciting degree at three suburban Pittsburgh locations (Southpointe, Monroeville, and Seven Fields) and at our main campus. Classes meet two nights per week (one class is online) for five semesters.

Waynesburg University has emerged as a leader in counselor education. Our Master of Arts in Counseling Program and the Addictions Certification program are accredited by CACREP of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Waynesburg University will prepare you to be a professional counselor who is caring, competent and committed to helping others.

The Counseling program has two specialized tracks, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addiction Counseling. All courses are designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of students.

The counseling profession has grown significantly during the past decade and is expected to grow “much faster than average” through 2016 according to the US Department of Labor. As licensed professionals, counselors are now able to practice independently and receive reimbursement from medical insurance companies. Counseling is a growing field with exciting personal and professional growth opportunities.

Annual Graduate Counseling Program Outcome Report

Class of 2013
Date of Report: September 1, 2013

Total Number of Graduates

30

Clinical Mental Health Graduates

26

Addictions Counseling Graduates

4

Completion Rate For All Graduates

83%

National Counselor Exam (NCE) Pass Rate

95%

NCE Pass Rate Clinical Mental Health Graduates

92%

NCE Pass Rate Addictions Counseling Graduates

100%

Job Placement Rate All Graduates

100%

Average Class Size

11

"Employment of mental health counselors is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected as more people have mental health counseling services covered by their insurance policies"

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014).

Programs Offered

All students graduating from Waynesburg University’s 60-credit graduate program will receive a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. You may tailor your degree by concentrating in one of two specialized tracks. Each specialized track provides all the academic requirements needed for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC). All counseling students take 48 credits of core courses in counseling and 12 credits (four classes) in their chosen area of specialization.

Addictions Counseling

Students preparing to work in addictions counseling will be provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a wide range of addiction counseling and prevention programs as well as mental health counseling facilities. Graduates of the Addictions Counseling track are prepared to meet the academic requirements for a Certificate in Addictions Counseling (CAC), an important credential for working in the addictions field in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Graduates from this program are prepared for licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC), and have competencies to work with non-addicted populations as well as working with individuals with addiction.

“Employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is projected to grow 31 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected as addiction and mental health counseling services are increasingly covered by insurance policies”

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014).

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

This specialization focuses on the core knowledge and practice methodologies necessary to work as mental health counselors as clinicians in community agencies and private practice. This is the most straight forward and traditional orientation used to train professional counselors.

Addictions Counseling Certificate

This option is for professionals who are working in the field and are seeking a certification in addictions counseling. It is a four course, 12-credit option that is completed in two semesters. Individuals seeking an Addictions Counseling Certificate must have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Students must be currently employed as a counselor at an agency providing addictions counseling and complete a formal application. Individuals who have a master's degree in counseling or a related field are eligible to enroll in the certification program regardless of employment status. All of the courses offered in this program are approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board as fulfilling educational requirements leading to a Certification in Addictions Counseling (CAADC) and a Certificate of Competency in Problem Gambling.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Master of Arts in Counseling Program, the student must submit the following:

Verification of a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions must be provided. Print an official transcript request form.

Students whose native language is not English must also submit an official report of TOEFL scores or other proof of competency in English.

Waynesburg University admits students without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry or ethnicity. It is the policy of Waynesburg University not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, admissions policies, activities or employment.

Academic Curriculum

Courses for Degree Completion

Core Courses:

CNS505 Foundations of CounselingCNS506 Lifespan DevelopmentCNS507 Introduction to Mental DisordersCNS508 Culture and IdentityCNS511 Counseling TheoriesCNS512 Counseling TechniquesCNS516 Theory and Techniques in Career CounselingCNS517 Theory and Techniques in Group CounselingCNS518 Research Design and Program EvaluationCNS519 Professional Issues and EthicsCNS525 Testing and AppraisalCNS546 Psychopathology and DiagnosisCNS557 Theories of Addiction and RecoveryCNS565 PracticumCNS566 Internship ICNS566 Internship II